Impact of Coating and Bagging Treatments on Sunburn, Cracking, and Phytochemical Properties of Pomegranates
摘要
This research investigated the impact of some protective treatments on sunburn, cracking, and phytochemical profile in ‘Malas Saveh’ pomegranates: kaolin particle film, carnauba wax, horticultural oil, white polyethylene bags, paraffin paper bags, and calque paper bags. The white polyethylene bag was the most effective, reducing sunburn severity by 95.1% compared to the control fruits. The severity and incidence of fruit cracking were also significantly influenced with the paraffin paper and white polyethylene bag treatments proving to be the most effective in minimizing damage. The kaolin particle film notably increased fruit weight (298.89 g) and length (80.16 mm), while the white polyethylene bag resulted in the lowest measurements for these parameters. Aril and seed quality were highest in the calque paper bag treatment, which produced the greatest juice volume and seed weights. Importantly, none of the treatments led to significant changes in phytochemical attributes, such as total soluble solids, total acidity, and antioxidant activity, indicating that the internal quality of the fruit remained unaffected. In conclusion, the white polyethylene and calque paper bags proved to be the most effective for enhancing the fruit’s resilience and overall quality without compromising its phytochemical properties, demonstrating their potential for practical use in pomegranate cultivation.